Fiber optic adapter assembly

ABSTRACT

A fiber optic adapter assembly is provided with a floating adapter module. The adapter assembly includes a housing, an adapter module, and a single biasing member disposed in the housing and concentrically aligned with the adapter module. The single biasing member can bias the adapter module in a direction toward an end of the housing and be compressible in the opposite direction toward the other end of the housing.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/739,005, filed on May 6, 2022, which is a Continuation of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 16/600,689, filed on Oct. 14, 2019, now U.S. Pat.No. 11,474,302, which is a Continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 15/503,203, filed on Feb. 10, 2017, now U.S. Pat. No. 10,481,341,which is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2015/068759, filed onAug. 14, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser.No. 62/037,305 filed on Aug. 14, 2014, the disclosures of which areincorporated herein by reference in their entireties. To the extentappropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosedapplications.

BACKGROUND

Fiber optic cables are widely used to transmit light signals for highspeed data transmission. Typically, fiber optic cables may be connectedin the field through fiber optic cable connection systems, which do notrequire a splice. A typical fiber optic cable connection system forinterconnecting two fiber optic cables includes fiber optic connectorsmounted at the ends of the fiber optic cables, and an adapter formechanically and optically coupling the fiber optic connectors together.Fiber optic connectors generally include ferrules that support the endsof the optical fibers of the fiber optic cables. The end faces of theferrules are typically polished and are often angled. The adapterincludes co-axially aligned ports for receiving the fiber opticconnectors desired to be interconnected. The adapter includes aninternal sleeve that receives and aligns the ferrules of the fiber opticconnectors when the connectors are inserted within the ports of theadapter. With the ferrules and their associated fibers aligned withinthe sleeve of the adapter, a fiber optic signal can pass from one fiberto the next. The adapter also typically has a mechanical fasteningarrangement for mechanically retaining the fiber optic connectors withinthe adapter.

In certain examples, the adapter may include a housing and an adaptersleeve disposed within the housing and biased toward an end of thehousing, through which a fiber optic connector of a fiber optic cable isinserted. The adapter typically includes a plurality of springs (e.g., apair of springs) to bias the adapter sleeve toward the end of thehousing. Examples of the adapter are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos.6,579,014 and 7,044,650. Improper spring seating may result in poor oruneven biasing of the adapter sleeve.

SUMMARY

In general terms, this disclosure is directed to an adapter assembly forfiber optic cable. In one possible configuration and by non-limitingexample, the adapter assembly includes an adapter module floatinglydisposed within a housing and biased by a single biasing member. Variousaspects are described in this disclosure, which include, but are notlimited to, the following aspects.

One aspect is a fiber optic adapter assembly including a housing, anadapter module, and a single biasing member. The housing may define aninternal cavity being open through a first opening at a first exteriorend and through a second opening at a first interior end opposite to thefirst exterior end. The adapter module may be disposed in the internalcavity of the housing and configured to align ferrules of fiber opticcable connectors inserted into the adapter module in oppositedirections. The single biasing member may be disposed in the internalcavity of the housing and concentrically aligned with the adaptermodule. The single biasing member may be configured to bias the adaptermodule in a direction toward the first exterior end and be compressiblein a direction toward the first interior end. In certain examples, thesingle biasing member may be a compression coil spring.

In certain examples, the adapter module may include an adapter body anda flange extending radially outwardly from the adapter body. The flangemay be configured to engage an end of the single biasing member.

In certain examples, the adapter module may be configured to belongitudinally slidable through the second opening of the housing. Thehousing may include a first guide element, and the adapter module mayinclude a second guide element correspondingly engaging the first guideelement of the housing and configured to guide the adapter module tolongitudinally move through the second opening of the housing. The firstguide element may be a groove defined adjacent the second opening of thehousing at the first interior end, and the second guide element may be aprojection formed along the longitudinal axis on the adapter module.

In certain examples, the adapter module may include a ferrule holder andan adapter body. The ferrule holder may have a barrel portion extendingalong the longitudinal axis and configured to receive ferrules of afirst fiber optic connector and a second fiber optic connector fromopposite directions and align optical fibers of the first and secondfiber optic connectors therein. The adapter body may be configured to atleast partially surround the ferrule holder and include a flangeextending radially outwardly from the adapter body. The flange may beconfigured to engage an end of the single biasing member. The adapterbody may be configured to be longitudinally slidable through the secondopening of the housing. The single biasing member may be disposed in theinternal cavity of the housing to at least partially surround theadapter body.

In certain examples, the housing may include a first guide element, andthe adapter body may include a second guide element correspondinglyengaging the first guide element of the housing and configured to guidethe adapter module to longitudinally move through the second opening ofthe housing. The first guide element may be a groove defined adjacentthe second opening of the housing at the first interior end. The secondguide element may be a projection formed along the longitudinal axis onthe adapter module.

In certain examples, the ferrule holder may include a pair of latchingarms configured to interlock with the second fiber optic connector whenthe second fiber optic connector is received through the second openingof the housing.

In certain examples, the adapter module may further include a ferrulealignment sleeve disposed within the barrel portion of the ferruleholder and configured to receive the ferrules of the first and secondfiber optic connectors from opposite directions.

In certain examples, the housing may include a first housing componentand a second housing component. The first housing component may beconfigured to at least partially receive the biasing member and theadapter module. The first housing component may include a plurality ofretaining slots. The second housing component may be secured to thefirst housing component and include a plurality of correspondingretaining clips configured to engage the plurality of retaining slots ofthe first housing component. The second housing component may include anaxial stopper configured to limit an axial movement of the adaptermodule within the first housing component in a direction toward thefirst exterior end of the first housing component.

In certain examples, the housing may include a first axial stopperconfigured to limit an axial movement of the adapter module within thehousing in the direction toward the first exterior end of the housing.The housing may include a second axial stopper configured to limit anaxial movement of the adapter module within the housing in a directiontoward the first interior end of the housing.

Another aspect is a fiber optic adapter assembly (106) including anfirst housing component, an adapter module, a single biasing member, anda second housing component. The first housing component may define afirst housing opening, an internal cavity, and a second housing opening.The internal cavity may be open at a first exterior end through thefirst housing opening and at a first interior end through the secondhousing opening. The first exterior end is opposite to the firstinterior end along a longitudinal axis. The first housing component mayinclude a plurality of retaining slots. The adapter module may bedisposed in the internal cavity of the first housing component anddefine a ferrule alignment passageway opening through a first module endand a second module end opposite to the first module end along thelongitudinal axis. The single biasing member may be disposed in theinternal cavity of the first housing component and concentricallyaligned with the adapter module. The single biasing member may beconfigured to bias the adapter module in a direction toward the firstexterior end and be compressible in a direction toward the firstinterior end. The second housing component may be secured to the firsthousing component and include a plurality of corresponding retainingclips configured to engage the plurality of retaining slots of the firsthousing component.

In certain examples, the first housing component may include a shoulderformed at the first interior end and configured to support a first endof the single biasing member. The adapter module may include a ferruleholder and an adapter body. The ferrule holder may have a barrel portionextending along the longitudinal axis to define the ferrule alignmentpassageway. The ferrule holder may be configured to receive ferrules ofa first fiber optic connector and a second fiber optic connector fromopposite directions and align optical fibers of the first and secondfiber optic connectors therein. The adapter body may include anenclosing side wall configured to at least partially surround theferrule holder. The adapter body may include a flange extending radiallyoutwardly from the adapter body. The flange may be configured to engagea second end of the single biasing member. The single biasing member maybe arranged at least partially surround the adapter body. The adapterbody may be configured to move through the second housing opening of thefirst housing component along the longitudinal axis.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connection system inaccordance with the principles of the present teachings.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example first housing component.

FIG. 4 is an opposite perspective view of the first housing component ofFIG. 3 .

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example adapter module.

FIG. 6 is an opposite perspective view of the adapter module of FIG. 5 .

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example second housing component.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 ,taken along line 8-8.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter assembly of FIG. 1 ,taken along line 9-9.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments will be described in detail with reference to thedrawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like parts andassemblies throughout the several views. Reference to variousembodiments does not limit the scope of the claims attached hereto.Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification are notintended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the many possibleembodiments for the appended claims.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fiber optic connection system 100 inaccordance with the principles of the present teachings. The fiber opticconnection system 100 may include a first fiber optic connector 102, asecond fiber optic connector 104, and an adapter assembly 106.

The first fiber optic connector 102 may be a hardened or ruggedizedfiber optic connector that terminates a fiber optic cable 90. In someembodiments, the fiber optic connector 102 can include a connectorhousing 112, a ferrule assembly 114, and a coupling nut 116. Theconnector housing 112 is configured to at least partially receive andsupport the ferrule assembly 114 therein. The ferrule assembly 114 isconfigured to support an end portion of an optical fiber of the fiberoptic cable 90 and has a distal end face at which a polished end of theoptical fiber is located. The distal end face of the ferrule assembly114 is arranged at an open end of the connector housing 112 andconfigured to abut or be in close proximity to a distal end face of thesecond fiber optic connector 104 within the adapter assembly 106. Theferrule assembly 114 is held by the connector housing 112 and configuredto align the end portion of the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable90 to a ferrule holder 184 (FIGS. 5 and 6 ) within the adapter assembly106 so that the end portion of the optical fiber of the fiber opticcable 90 abut or is in close proximity to an end portion of an opticalfiber of a second fiber optic cable 92 that is inserted into the adapterassembly 106. The coupling nut 116 is coupled onto the connector housing112 and provides a gripping surface for users. The coupling nut 116 canbe at least partially rotatably mounted onto the connector housing 112.The coupling nut 116 can further include a first coupling mechanism 118configured to selectively engage a second coupling mechanism 120 of theadapter assembly 106 to provide keyed positioning of the fiber opticconnector 102 relative to the adapter assembly 106 and to serve to alignthe ferrule assembly 114 with the ferrule holder 184 (FIGS. 5 and 6 )within the adapter assembly 106. An example of the first and secondcoupling mechanisms 118 and 120 are illustrated in U.S. Application No.62/016,075, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The second fiber optic connector 104 is configured to terminate a secondfiber optic cable 92. In some embodiments, the second fiber opticconnector 104 can include a ferrule assembly (not shown) that is similarto the ferrule assembly 114 of the first fiber optic connector 102 tosupport an end portion of an optical fiber of the fiber optic cable 92.In some embodiments, the second fiber optic connector 104 can be aSubscription Channel (SC) connector. The second fiber optic connector104 is configured to be inserted into a second adapter end 124 of theadapter assembly 106 so that the optical fiber of the second fiber opticcable 92 is abutted to, or in close proximity to, the end portion of theoptical fiber of the cable 90 within the adapter assembly 106.

The adapter assembly 106 is configured to receive the first fiber opticconnector 102 at a first adapter end 122 and the second fiber opticconnector 104 at a second adapter end 124. The adapter assembly 106 canbe configured to selectively engage the first fiber optic connector 102through the first and second coupling mechanisms 118 and 120. In someembodiments, the adapter assembly 106 can also be configured toselectively engage the second fiber optic connector 104 (e.g., vialatching arms 216 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 ). An example of the adapterassembly 106 is illustrated and described in more detail with referenceto FIG. 2 .

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the adapter assembly 106 of FIG. 1 . Insome embodiments, the adapter assembly 106 can include an adapterhousing 139 including a first housing component 132 and a second housingcomponent 138. The adapter assembly 106 further includes a singlebiasing member 134 and an adapter module 136.

The adapter assembly 106 in accordance with an example of the presentteachings includes the single biasing member 134, such as a coil spring,which is concentrically aligned with the adapter module 136 within thefirst housing component 132. The single biasing member 134 biases theadapter module 136 in a direction toward the second housing component138 (e.g., in an outward/exterior direction D_(EXT)), and can compressto allow the adapter module 136 to move in the opposite direction (e.g.,in an inward/interior direction D_(INT)) within the first housingcomponent 132 when, for example, the first fiber optic connector 102 isinserted into the adapter assembly 106. The single biasing member 134can absorb tolerances during assembling of the adapter assembly 106 andprovide even biasing of the adapter module 136 within the first housingcomponent 132. In contrast, a plurality of springs used in theconventional adapter assemblies makes it difficult to accurately arrangeall of the springs together between the adapter module and the firsthousing component during assembly, thereby causing misalignment of thesprings and uneven biasing of the adapter module within the firsthousing component. Further, the single biasing member 134 can surround aportion of the adapter module 136 within the first housing component 132to reduce the size of the adapter assembly 106.

The adapter housing 139 includes the first housing component 132 and thesecond housing component 138. As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9 , thesecond housing component 138 can be configured to be positioned on afirst side (i.e. exterior side) 96 of a bulkhead 94 (e.g., on theoutside of a bulkhead defined by a telecommunications closure or anenclosure), and the first housing component 132 can be configured to bepositioned on an opposite second side (i.e., interior side) 98 of thebulkhead 94 (e.g., on the inside of the bulkhead within thetelecommunications closure or the enclosure). The second housingcomponent 138 can define an exterior, ruggedized port (e.g., an internalpassageway 162 as shown in FIG. 2 ) for receiving the connector 102, andthe first housing component 132 can define an interior, non-ruggedizedport (e.g., an opening 150 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 ) for receiving theconnector 104. In some embodiments, the first housing component 132 canbe referred to as a retainer or retention member.

The first and second housing components 132 and 138 can cooperate toprovide securement of the adapter housing 139 to the bulkhead 94. Forexample, the first and second housing components 132 and 138 caninterlock such that a portion of the bulkhead is captured between thefirst and second housing components. The first and second housingcomponents 132 and 138 can interlock in different manners. For example,the first and second housing components 132 and 138 can be matedtogether for interlocking. In other embodiments, the first and secondhousing components 132 and 138 can be threadedly engaged together. Inyet other embodiments, the first and second housing components 132 and138 can be snapped together when axially pressed toward each other.

In some embodiments, the second housing component 138 includes a neckportion 250 and a sealing flange portion 252. The neck portion 250 caninclude the plurality of retaining clips 224, which is configured toremovably engage the first housing component 132, as described herein.The sealing flange portion 252 is configured to hold a sealing member254, such as an O-ring, thereby providing a radial sealing of theadapter assembly 106 against the bulkhead 94. For example, the neckportion 250 is configured to be inserted into an opening of the bulkhead94 from the exterior side 96 such that the flange portion 252 sits on abulkhead shoulder 99. The sealing member 254 engaged by the sealingflange portion 252 can provide sealing between the adapter housing 139and the inner surface of the opening of the bulkhead 94. The sealingmember 254 is radially, circumferentially abutted with the inner surfaceof the opening of the bulkhead 94 to provide sealing therebetween. Then,the first housing component 132 is coupled to the second housingcomponent 138 from the interior side 98. An axial end face (e.g., afirst exterior end 144) of the first housing component 132 can beabutted to the interior side 98 of the bulkhead 94 when the first andsecond housing components 132 and 138 are coupled with the bulkhead 94positioned therebetween. In addition or alternatively, an axial end faceof the second housing component 138 can be abutted to the bulkheadshoulder 99 when the first and second housing components 132 and 138 arecoupled. The configurations of the adapter assembly 106 as describedabove can provide easy and fast installation of the adapter housing 139,compared to existing adapter assemblies with axial sealing members thatrequires additional steps to axially engage an independent sealingmember over the adapter housing during installation.

The first housing component 132 is configured to receive biasing member134 and the adapter module 136. The first housing component 132 definesan internal cavity 142 that is open through opposed ends, which are afirst exterior end 144 and a first interior end 146. An opening 148(FIGS. 3 and 4 ) through the first exterior end 144 is configured toreceive the biasing member 134 and the adapter module 136, which areconfigured to be inserted into and retained within the internal cavity142. An opening 150 (FIGS. 3 and 4 ) through the first interior end 146is configured to receive the second fiber optic connector 104. Anexample of the first housing component 132 is illustrated and describedin more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 .

The biasing member 134 is configured to be disposed within the firsthousing component 132 and bias the adapter module 136 in the directiontoward the first adapter end 122 of the adapter assembly 106 (i.e., asecond exterior end 164 of the second housing component 138) so that theadapter module 136 is spring-loaded and disposed in the first housingcomponent 132 in a floating manner. In some embodiments, the biasingmember 134 is a single compression coil spring, as depicted in FIG. 2 .An example configuration and operation of the biasing member 134 isillustrated and described herein.

The adapter module 136 defines a lengthwise, longitudinally extendingpassageway that is open through opposed ends, such as a first module end154 and a second module end 156. The adapter module 136 is configured toreceive and align, from the first module end 154, the ferrule assembly114 of the first fiber optic connector 102 that is received from thefirst adapter end 122. The adapter module 136 is also configured toreceive and align, from the second module end 156, the ferrule assemblyof the second fiber optic connector 104 that is received from the secondadapter end 124. The adapter module 136 can abut the distal end faces ofthe optical fibers of the first and second fiber optic cables 90 and 92.As such, the ferrule assembly 114 of the first fiber optic connector 102is inserted through the port 222 (FIGS. 7-9 ) at the first adapter end122 into the opening defined by the first module end 154 of the adaptermodule 136, while the ferrule assembly of the second fiber opticconnector 104 is inserted through the opening 150 (FIGS. 3, 4, 8 and 9 )at the second adapter end 124 into the opening defined by the secondmodule end 156 of the adapter module 136. An example of the adaptermodule 136 is illustrated and described in more detail with reference toFIGS. 5 and 6 .

The second housing component 138 is configured to be secured to thefirst housing component 132 adjacent the first exterior end 144 of thefirst housing component 132. When the second housing component 138 ismounted to the first housing component 132, the second housing component138 secures the adapter module 136 within the first housing component132 in such a manner that the adapter module 136 is floatingly disposedwithin the first housing component 132. Being floatingly disposed, theadapter module 136 is not fixed in the internal cavity 142 of the firsthousing component 132 and biased by the biasing member 134 toward thefirst adapter end 122 of the adapter assembly 106.

The second housing component 138 defines an internal passageway 162 thatis open through opposed ends, which are a second exterior end 164 and asecond interior end 166. The internal passageway 162 can define a port222, as illustrated in FIGS. 7-9 . In some embodiments, the secondhousing component 138 can include the second coupling mechanism 120configured to be selectively coupled to the first coupling mechanism 118of the first fiber optic connector 102. The first and second couplingmechanisms 118 and 120 are illustrated in U.S. Application No.62/016,075, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

The second housing component 138 can include a housing couplingmechanism at the second interior end 166 such that a portion of thesecond housing component 138 at the second interior end 166 is securedto the first housing component 132 at the first exterior end 144. Thesecond housing component 138 can be secured to the first housingcomponent 132 in any suitable manner. In the depicted embodiment, thesecond housing component 138 includes a plurality of retaining clips 224that engage corresponding slots 176 provided in the first housingcomponent 132. An example of the second housing component 138 isillustrated and described in more detail with reference to FIG. 7 .

As such, the first housing component 132 and the second housingcomponent 138 define the housing 139 of the biasing member 134 and theadapter module 136. In the depicted embodiment, the first housingcomponent 132 and the second housing component 138 are configured asseparate elements. In other embodiments, however, the first housingcomponent 132 and the second housing component 138 may be configured asa unit to define the housing.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate an example first housing component 132. Inparticular, FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example first housingcomponent 132, and FIG. 4 is an opposite perspective view of the firsthousing component 132 of FIG. 3 .

In some embodiments, the first housing component 132 is cylindricallyshaped to define the internal cavity 142 between the first interior end146 and the first exterior end 144. The internal cavity 142 is openthrough a first housing opening 148 at the first exterior end 144 andthrough a second housing opening 150 at the first interior end 146.

The first housing opening 148 is configured to receive the biasingmember 134 and the adapter module 136 in order. The biasing member 134inserted into the internal cavity 142 through the first housing opening148 sits upon a shoulder 172 formed at the first interior end 146. Theshoulder 172 is defined around the second housing opening 150 at thefirst interior end 146. In some embodiments where the biasing member 134is a single compression coil spring, the spring is engaged with theshoulder 172 around the second housing opening 150 so that the spring issupported toward the first exterior end 144 against the first interiorend 146 (FIGS. 8 and 9 ).

In some embodiments, the second housing opening 150 at the firstinterior end 146 can be fitted with a dust cap when not in use to reducethe possibility of accumulating contaminants within the internal cavity142.

The second housing opening 150 is configured to slidably engage theadapter module 136 therethrough. In some embodiments, the second housingopening 150 can be dimensioned to correspond to the adapter module 136(i.e., an adapter body 182 of the adapter module 136 (FIGS. 5 and 6 ))such that the adapter module 136 slides along the second housing opening150 as the adapter module 136 resists the biasing member 134.

The first housing component 132 includes a first guide element 174configured to slidably engage a corresponding second guide element 208(FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of the adapter module 136 to guide the adapter module136 therealong such that the adapter module 136 longitudinally movethrough the second housing opening 150. In the depicted embodiment, thefirst guide element 174 is a groove defined adjacent the second housingopening 150 at the first interior end 146, while the second guideelement 208 of the adapter module 136 is a projection longitudinallyformed on the adapter module (FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The groove of the firstguide element 174 is keyed to the projection of the second guide element208. In other embodiments, the first guide element 174 can be aprojection or protrusion while the second guide element 208 is acorresponding groove or slot. In yet other embodiments, the first andsecond guide elements 174 and 208 can be of different types.

In some embodiments, the first housing component 132 can include anaxial stopper 178 configured to limit an axial movement of the adaptermodule 136 within the first housing component 132 (e.g., the internalcavity 142 of the first housing component 132) in the direction towardthe first interior end 146 of the first housing component 132 (or thesecond adapter end 124 of the adapter assembly 106). In someembodiments, the axial stopper 178 includes one or more projectionsextending from the first interior end 146 in the direction to the firstexterior end 144 within the first housing component 132.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate an example adapter module 136. In particular,FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an example adapter module 136, and FIG.6 is an opposite perspective view of the adapter module 136 of FIG. 5 .

The adapter module 136 is mounted within the first housing component 132with the second module end 156 facing toward the first interior end 146of the first housing component 132 and the first module end 154 facingtoward the first exterior end 144 of the first housing component 132.The adapter module 136 is configured to float within the first housingcomponent 132 (and the second housing component 138). The biasing member134 is configured to bias the adapter module 136 toward the firstadapter end 122 (i.e., the second exterior end 164 of the second housingcomponent 138) and allow the adapter module 136 to move axially alongthe longitudinal axis during insertion of the first fiber opticconnector 102 into the adapter assembly 106 from the first adapter end122. The biasing member 134 is captured between the inner shoulder 172of the first housing component 132 and a flange 192 of the adaptermodule 136.

In some embodiments, the adapter module 136 can include an adapter body182, a ferrule holder 184, and a ferrule alignment sleeve 186.

The adapter body 182 is configured to at least partially receive theferrule holder 184. The adapter body 182 includes an enclosing side wall188 defining an internal bore 190 therein. The internal bore 190receives at least a portion of the ferrule holder 184 such that the sidewall 188 surrounds the inserted portion of the ferrule holder 184. Theenclosing side wall 188 can function to protect the ferrule holder 184and the ferrules of the first and second fiber optic connectors 102 and104 inserted into the ferrule holder 184. In some embodiments, theenclosing side wall 188 is configured as a plurality of side surfaces oras a cylindrical surface.

The adapter body 182 includes a flange 192 extending radially outwardlyfrom the adapter body 182. The flange 192 is configured to support afirst end 202 of the biasing member 134. For example, the flange 192provides a supporting surface 206 that faces toward the second moduleend 156 (i.e., the second adapter end 124 of the adapter assembly 106)and is configured to engage the first end 202 of the biasing member 134.

In some embodiments, the adapter body 182 can include a second guideelement 208 corresponding to the first guide element 174 of the firsthousing component 132. As described above, the second guide element 208is configured to be slidably engaged with the first guide element 174 ofthe first housing component 132 such that the adapter body 182 slidesalong the first guide element 174 of the first housing component 132. Inthe depicted embodiment, the second guide element 208 is a projectionlongitudinally formed on the side wall 188 of the adapter body 182 tocorrespond to the groove of the first guide element 174 of the firsthousing component 132.

The ferrule holder 184 defines a barrel portion 212 longitudinallyextending and configured to receive the ferrules of the first and secondfiber optic connectors 102 and 104 from opposite directions. The barrelportion 212 operates to align the ends of the optical fibers of thefirst and second cables 90 and 92 therewithin. The barrel portion 212can be cylindrically configured and have a central axis that aligns withthe longitudinal axis of the adapter assembly 106.

The ferrule holder 184 is configured to be at least partially insertedinto the internal bore 190 of the adapter body 182. In some embodiments,the ferrule holder 184 can include a holder flange portion 218 that isabutted with a surface of the flange 192 opposite to the supportingsurface 206. When the ferrule holder 184 is engaged with the flange 192,an exposed portion 214 of the barrel portion 212 is received into theinternal bore 190 of the adapter body 182 and surrounded by theenclosing side wall 188 of the adapter body 182. Thus, the portion 214of the barrel portion 212 that is exposed at an end of the ferruleholder 184 can be protected by the enclosing side wall 188 of theadapter body 182 when assembled.

The ferrule holder 184 can include a pair of latching arms 216configured to interlock with the second fiber optic connector 104 whenthe second fiber optic connector 104 is received through the secondhousing opening 150 of the first housing component 132. The pair oflatching arms 216 is resiliently adapted for retaining the second fiberoptic connector 104 within the internal bore 190 of the adapter body182.

In some embodiments, the adapter module 136 can further include theferrule alignment sleeve 186 that is mounted within the barrel portion212 of the ferrule holder 184. The ferrule alignment sleeve 186 can befree to float slightly within the barrel portion 212, and have limitedmovement within the barrel portion 212. When the first fiber opticconnector 102 is inserted from the first module end 154, the ferrule ofthe first fiber optic connector 102 is inserted within one end of theferrule alignment sleeve 186. Similarly, when the second fiber opticconnector 104 is inserted from the second module end 156, the ferrule ofthe second fiber optic connector 104 is inserted within the other end ofthe ferrule alignment sleeve 186. Accordingly, the ferrule alignmentsleeve 186 can align the ferrules of the first and second fiber opticconnectors 102 and 104 such that the corresponding fibers within theferrules are coaxially aligned along the longitudinal axis (or thecentral axis of the ferrule holder 184). The ferrule alignment sleeve186 can be a split-sleeve with a slit 187 and made of a resilientmaterial, such as metal, that flexes to accommodate the ferrules of thefirst and second optic connectors 102 and 104.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an example second housing component 138.Referring to FIGS. 2 and 7 , the second housing component 138 fitswithin the first housing component 132 at the first exterior end 144 andforms the first adapter end 122 of the adapter assembly 106. The secondhousing component 138 defines a port 222 configured to receive the firstfiber optic connector 102. In some embodiments, the port 222 can befitted with a dust cap when not in use to reduce the possibility ofaccumulating contaminants within the adapter assembly 106.

In some embodiments, the second housing component 138 can include aplurality of retaining clips 224 having tabs 226. The plurality ofretaining clips 224 is resiliently configured to snap-fit within thecorresponding slots 176 of the first housing component 132. For example,when the second housing component 138 is inserted into the firstexterior end 144 of the first housing component 132, the flexible clips224 flex inwardly until the tabs 226 reach the slots 176 defined by thefirst housing component 132. When the tabs 226 reach the slots 176, theclips 224 flex outwardly causing the tabs 226 to snap within thecorresponding slots 176 thereby securing the second housing component138 within the first housing component 132.

The second housing component 138 can further include an axial stopper230 configured to limit an axial movement of the adapter module 136within the first housing component 132 in a direction toward the firstadapter end 122 of the adapter assembly 106 (i.e., the second exteriorend 164 of the second housing component 138). In some embodiments, theaxial stopper 230 includes one or more raised portions that are formedfrom an inner surface of the second housing component 138 and configuredto engage the holder flange portion 218 of the adapter module 136 toretain the adapter module 136 within the first housing component 132.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the adapter assembly 106 ofFIG. 2 . As depicted, the adapter module 136 is captured between thefirst and second housing components 132 and 138 and biased toward theexterior port 222 by the single biasing member 134. The adapter module136 can move and floats as a unit within the adapter housing 139, whichincludes the first and second housing components 132 and 138. In someembodiments, the single biasing member 134 is a compression coil springdesigned to resist being compressed.

As described, the flange 192 of the adapter module 136 forms an annularspring sit (e.g., the supporting surface 206) against which an end ofthe biasing member 134 exerts a spring force in the exterior axialdirection D_(EXT) The inner shoulder 172 of the first housing component132 provides an annular surface against which the other end of thebiasing member 134 sits and exerts a repelling force.

The single biasing member 134 is disposed in the internal cavity 142 ofthe first housing component 132. In some embodiments, the single biasingmember 134 is engaged between the inner shoulder 172 of the firsthousing component 132 and the supporting surface 206 of the flange 192of the adapter module 136. The first end 202 of the biasing member 134is supported by the supporting surface 206 of the flange 192, and thesecond end 204 of the biasing member 134 is supported by the innershoulder 172 of the first housing component 132. The single biasingmember 134 is configured to bias the adapter module 136 against thefirst interior end 146 of the first housing component 132 in thedirection toward the first exterior end 144 of the first housingcomponent 132. The single biasing member 134 can compress to allow theadapter module to move in the direction toward the first interior end146 (i.e., the second adapter end 124 of the adapter assembly 106)within the first housing component 132 when, for example, the firstfiber optic connector 102 is inserted into the port 222 of the secondhousing component 138 from the first adapter end 122 of the adapterassembly 106.

The single biasing member 134 is concentrically aligned with the adaptermodule 136 in the internal cavity 142 of the first housing component132. The single biasing member 134, which is coaxially arranged with theadapter module 136 as described herein, is more advantageous than aplurality of springs used in conventional adapter assemblies for severalreasons. For example, the single biasing member 134 can absorbtolerances during assembling of the adapter assembly 106. Where theadapter assembly includes a plurality of springs, it is not easy toaccurately arrange all of the springs together between the first housingcomponent and the adapter module during assembly, and such improperalignment of the plurality of springs can cause uneven biasing of theadapter module. The single biasing member can eliminate the difficultyin aligning the biasing member in the adapter assembly and provide evenbiasing of the adapter module. Further, the adapter assembly inaccordance with the present teachings can eliminate a plurality ofstructures for supporting the plurality of springs and minimize an areafor supporting the single biasing member, thereby decreasing the adapterassembly in size and improve the alignment and protection of theferrules of the fiber optic cables.

The various embodiments described above are provided by way ofillustration only and should not be construed to limit the claimsattached hereto. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize variousmodifications and changes that may be made without following the exampleembodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, andwithout departing from the true spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS AND CORRESPONDING FEATURES

90 cable

92 fiber optic cable

94 bulkhead

96 first side

98 second side

99 bulkhead shoulder

100 fiber optic connection system

102 fiber optic connector

104 second fiber optic connector

106 adapter assembly

112 connector housing

114 ferrule assembly

116 coupling nut

118 first coupling mechanism

120 second coupling mechanism

122 first adapter end

124 second adapter end

132 first housing component

134 biasing member

136 adapter module

138 second housing component

139 housing

142 internal cavity

144 first exterior end

146 first interior end

148 first housing opening

150 opening

154 first module end

156 second module end

162 internal passageway

164 second exterior end

166 second interior end

172 inner shoulder

174 first guide element

176 slots

178 axial stopper

182 adapter body

184 ferrule holder

186 ferrule alignment sleeve

188 enclosing side wall

190 internal bore

192 flange

202 first end

204 second end

206 supporting surface

208 second guide element

212 barrel portion

214 exposed portion

216 latching arms

218 holder flange portion

222 port

224 retaining clips

226 tabs

230 axial stopper

250 neck portion

252 sealing flange portion

254 sealing member

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A fiber optic enclosure, comprising: a bulkheaddefining an interior of the enclosure and an exterior of the enclosure;an opening through the bulkhead, the opening being adapted to receive afiber optic connector; a housing extending from a first end to a secondopposite the first end, the second end of the housing being connected toan annular structure protruding into the interior of the enclosure fromthe opening, the annular structure being received inside the housingthrough the second end of the housing; an adapter module including anadapter body and an annular flange extending radially outwardly from theadapter body, at least a portion of the adapter module being positionedinside the housing, the adapter module being configured to align aferrule of the fiber optic connector and a ferrule of another fiberoptic connector along a ferrule alignment axis; and a biasing memberpositioned entirely between the first end of the housing and the secondend of the housing, the biasing member having a width perpendicular tothe ferrule alignment axis that is at least as large as a largestdimension of the adapter body perpendicular to the ferrule alignmentaxis.
 22. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 21, further comprising theanother fiber optic connector installed in the adapter module.
 23. Thefiber optic enclosure of claim 22, further comprising the fiber opticconnector extending through the opening and installed in the adaptermodule.
 24. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 23, wherein the anotherfiber optic connector is a Subscription Channel (SC) connector; andwherein the fiber optic connector is a ruggedized fiber optic connector.25. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 21, wherein the housing issnap-connected to the annular structure.
 26. The fiber optic enclosureof claim 25, wherein the housing is snap-connected to the annularstructure with retaining clips that are received in slots.
 27. The fiberoptic enclosure of claim 21, wherein the annular structure is a portionof another housing extending through the opening from the exterior ofthe enclosure.
 28. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 21, wherein thebiasing member fully surrounds the adapter module.
 29. The fiber opticenclosure of claim 21, further comprising a ferrule holder that is atleast partially positioned in the adapter body.
 30. The fiber opticenclosure of claim 29, further comprising a barrel portion on theferrule holder, the barrel portion being configured to receive theferrule of the fiber optic connector and the ferrule another fiber opticconnector.
 31. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 29, further comprisinglatching arms on the ferrule holder, wherein the latching arms areconfigured to selectively engage at least one of the fiber opticconnector or the another fiber optic connector when inserted in theadapter module.
 32. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 21, furthercomprising a ferrule alignment sleeve positioned in the adapter module.33. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 21, wherein the housing includesan axial stopper configured to limit an axial movement of the adaptermodule within the housing.
 34. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 21,wherein the annular structure defines a ruggedized port.
 35. The fiberoptic enclosure of claim 21, wherein the biasing member is a compressioncoil spring.
 36. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 21, including onlyone of the biasing member positioned between the first end of thehousing and the second end of the housing.
 37. A fiber optic enclosure,comprising: a bulkhead defining an interior of the enclosure and anexterior of the enclosure; an opening through the bulkhead, the openingbeing adapted to receive a first fiber optic connector from the exteriorof the enclosure; a housing extending from a first end to a secondopposite the first end, the second end of the housing being connected toan annular structure protruding into the interior of the enclosure fromthe opening, the annular structure being received inside the housingthrough the second end of the housing, the annular structure defining aruggedized port; a second fiber optic connector positioned in theinterior of the enclosure; an adapter module including an adapter bodyand an annular flange extending radially outwardly from the adapterbody, at least a portion of the adapter module being positioned insidethe housing, the adapter module including a ferrule holder that is atleast partially positioned in the adapter body, the ferrule holderincluding a barrel portion, the barrel portion holding a ferrule of thesecond fiber optic connector and being configured to align the ferruleof the second fiber optic connector and a ferrule of the first fiberoptic connector along a ferrule alignment axis; and a spring positionedentirely between the first end of the housing and the second end of thehousing, the spring having a width perpendicular to the ferrulealignment axis that is at least as large as a largest dimension of theadapter body perpendicular to the ferrule alignment axis, wherein thehousing includes an axial stopper configured to limit an axial movementof the adapter module within the housing.
 38. A fiber optic enclosure,comprising: a bulkhead having an interior side and an exterior side; afiber optic adapter module including an internal ferrule alignmentsleeve positioned to receive a ferrule of a fiber optic connectorinserted though the bulkhead in a connector insertion direction from theexterior side toward the interior side; and a spring for allowing thefiber optic adapter module to float relative to the bulkhead, the springhaving a cross-dimension measured in an orientation transverse to theconnector insertion direction that is at least as large as acorresponding largest cross-dimension of the fiber optic adapter module.39. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 38, including only one of thespring allowing the fiber optic adapter module to float relative to thebulkhead.
 40. The fiber optic enclosure of claim 38, wherein the springfully surrounds the fiber optic adapter module.